File Sharing Problems

How to Share an Excel XLSX Link on a Local Network Drive in Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if they can share a link to an Excel workbook stored on a local network drive in Microsoft 365 without uploading the file to OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft 365 / Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to generate and share a local network link for an Excel workbook instead of using the default OneDrive cloud storage.
Observed behavior: Microsoft 365 defaults to uploading documents to OneDrive for sharing, bypassing local network drive paths and making it difficult to share direct local links natively.

Before you start

Verify the exact file path on your local network drive and ensure that your intended recipients have access permissions to that specific network directory.

Solution 1Recommended

Consult IT for Custom Local Network Sharing Configurations

Determine if your organization's IT department has altered Microsoft 365's default save and share locations to support local network links.

By default, Microsoft 365 uploads documents to OneDrive and uses it as the primary location for saving and sharing files. Generating a shareable link natively within the Excel app typically requires the file to be hosted on OneDrive or SharePoint.

However, in enterprise environments, IT administrators can configure group policies to allow alternative storage locations or map network drives specifically for internal team sharing.

Identify your current save location

Open your Excel workbook, click on 'File', and select 'Save As' to check if OneDrive is the only default location offered.

Contact your IT department

Reach out to your IT administrator to ask if local network drive linking is supported within your company's Microsoft 365 deployment.

Use standard file explorer links

If native Excel sharing requires OneDrive, navigate to the file in Windows File Explorer, hold the Shift key, right-click the file, and select 'Copy as path' to manually share the network path via email or chat.

Network Access Required: Anyone receiving a local network path link must be connected to the same company network (or VPN) and have the appropriate folder permissions to open the file.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Easily Manage and Share Spreadsheets with WPS Office

If you are looking for a flexible office suite that works seamlessly with local files and does not force cloud uploads, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative. It offers high compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats and provides straightforward local file management.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free suite and install it on your device.
2. Open your local XLSX file: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and browse your local network drive to access your file directly.
3. Edit and share with ease: Make your edits and save locally. You can easily copy the local file path from your system's file explorer to share with colleagues.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Save and manage files directly on your local network drives without forced cloud uploads.Lightweight and completely free to use with a familiar, easy-to-learn interface.Seamlessly share local file paths with colleagues without triggering web-browser redirects.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop Microsoft 365 from defaulting to OneDrive?

Yes, you can change the default save location. Go to File > Options > Save, and check the box for 'Save to Computer by default'. You can then set a default local file location, such as a mapped local network drive.

Why do my shared Excel links open in the web browser instead of the desktop app?

When sharing links via OneDrive or SharePoint, Microsoft 365 defaults to opening them in Excel for the Web. You can change this behavior by going to File > Options > Advanced, and under 'Link Handling', check 'Open supported hyperlinks to Office files in Office desktop apps'.

How do I create a clickable link to a local network folder in my emails?

In most email applications like Outlook, you can type the network path enclosed in angle brackets (for example, <\\NetworkDrive\Folder\File.xlsx>) to create a clickable link for users who are connected to the same local network.

Document & File Issues